How to Make Delicious Samosas at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

Samosa is a popular Indian snack that is loved by people all around the world. It is a triangular pastry filled with a delicious filling and then deep-fried to crispy perfection. The filling can vary from region to region, but the most popular one is made of potatoes, peas, and spices. In this blog post, we will take you through the step-by-step process of making delicious samosas at home.

Ingredients:

For the dough:

1. 2 cups all-purpose flour
2. 1/2 teaspoon salt
3. 1/4 cup vegetable oil
4. 1/2 cup water

For the filling:

1. 3 medium-sized potatoes, boiled and mashed
2. 1/2 cup frozen peas
3. 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
4. 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
5. 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
6. 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
7. 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
8. 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
9. Salt to taste
10. 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

Instructions:

Step 1: Making the Dough

In a mixing bowl, add two cups of all-purpose flour and half a teaspoon of salt. Mix well.  Then, add a quarter cup of vegetable oil and mix again until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Gradually add half a cup of water to the mixture and knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Making the Filling

Heat two tablespoons of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add half a teaspoon of cumin seeds and let them crackle.

Add half a cup of frozen peas and sauté for a minute. Then, add the mashed potatoes and mix well.

Add half a teaspoon of coriander powder, half a teaspoon of garam masala powder, half a teaspoon of red chili powder, and a quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder. Mix well and cook for a minute.

Add salt to taste and chopped cilantro. Mix well and turn off the heat. Let the filling cool down.

Step 3: Making the Samosas

Divide the dough into small balls, about the size of a golf ball. Roll out each ball into a thin oval shape.

Cut the oval in half to get two semi-circles. Take one semi-circle and form a cone by bringing the two straight edges together, overlapping them slightly.

Fill the cone with two tablespoons of the potato-pea filling. Do not overfill, or the samosas will burst while frying.

Moisten the edges of the dough with water and press them together to seal the samosa. Pinch off any excess dough.

Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling.

Step 4: Fry the Samosas

Heat the oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the samosas to the pan, a few at a time.

Fry the samosas until they turn golden brown, turning them occasionally. It should take about 5–6 minutes.

Remove the samosas from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.

Repeat the process with the remaining samosas.

Step 5: Serving the Samosas

Samosas can be served hot or cold with a variety of dipping sauces. The most common ones are mint chutney and tamarind chutney.

To make mint chutney, blend together a cup of fresh mint leaves, a cup of fresh cilantro, half a cup of chopped onion, two chopped green chilies, and salt to taste. Add a little water to get a smooth paste.

To make tamarind chutney, soak half a cup of tamarind in a cup of hot water for 10–15 minutes. Strain the tamarind pulp and discard the seeds. Add a cup of sugar to the tamarind pulp and cook it over low heat until it thickens. Add half a teaspoon of cumin powder, half a teaspoon of red chili powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix well and let it cool down.

Serve the samosas hot with the dipping sauces of your choice.

Tips for making perfect samosas:

• Make sure the dough is smooth and elastic. This will help you roll it out easily and make it easier to seal the samosas.
• Do not overfill the samosas, or they will burst while frying. Two tablespoons of filling per samosa is enough.
• Seal the samosas well, or they will open up while frying.
• Fry the samosas over medium heat to ensure that they cook evenly and do not burn.
• Drain the excess oil from the samosas by placing them on a paper towel-lined plate.

In conclusion, making samosas at home is not as difficult as it seems. With a little bit of practice, you can make delicious and crispy samosas that are sure to impress your family and friends. The best part is that you can customize the filling to your liking, so you can experiment with different flavors and spices. So, why not give it a try and see for yourself how easy and fun it is to make samosas at home?